Something to keep in mind

The combined record of our opponents thus far is 11-4.



Those four losses are to Oklahoma (twice), Nebraska, and us (Washington).



It is likely that Nevada, Florida State and Air Force will be ranked tomorrow. That is a very tough way to open a season.



Unfortunately, the light part of our schedule is the back half so we haven't had a chance to ease in our new players. But with the exception of TCU (which could be very difficult to watch) the rest of the schedule is manageable.

We're not exactly losing to world beaters, and our only win is to one of the worst teams in college football. I like the optimism though just wish I shared in it.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

I agree they are not world beaters. In fact, all were winnable games. I'm just pointing out that the three teams we lost to are winning lots of games and will likely be ranked tomorrow. They also all had experienced, dynamic QBs. Washington isn't great but they are certainly not one of the worst teams in college football (have you seen New Mexico, Colorado State, and UNLV?). They'll probably end up with some wins in the Pac 10.



We'll get killed by TCU, but we have a good chance to win the rest of our games until Utah (which is always a tossup).

BlueIsBetter wrote:
We're not exactly losing to world beaters, and our only win is to one of the worst teams in college football. I like the optimism though just wish I shared in it.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Actually I think his point is that we are losing to "world beaters" to a degree, not to teams that are losing. We are making progress and I think the future is very bright for us. The advantage of playing young players is that they have the potential to improve in big chunks and I think that is what we are starting to see and that is bringing us optimism. By years end this team will look very little like the team we have seen these first four games.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

I promise I am not trying to rain on your parade, but every quarterback that plays us looks like a stud. Our bend AND break defense is the equivalent of not hitting someone for 3 rounds in boxing, so they are surprised when you actually do in the 4th. Any team with an above average coach, and close talent to ours should keep it close or come out with a win.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

BlueIsBetter wrote:
I promise I am not trying to rain on your parade, but every quarterback that plays us looks like a stud. Our bend AND break defense is the equivalent of not hitting someone for 3 rounds in boxing, so they are surprised when you actually do in the 4th. Any team with an above average coach, and close talent to ours should keep it close or come out with a win.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Actually, every QB we have played so far really are studs. Each one is better than the previous and it's not because of our defense but just because they are good players. I think locker may only be 3rd or 4th best out of the QBs we have played so far.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

The 3 teams we have lost to are ranked 26, 27, and 28 this week. Next week, all of them will be in th etop 25. We are losing to three top 25 teams. None of them are top 10 or top 20 yet - but all 3 are top 25. We lost to 2 of them on the road and one at home. Our season opening schedule is one of the toughest any team is playing.



We do not have the experience / talent right now to beat top 25 teams. Maybe we will get there by November - maybe not. BlusisBetter better get a grip on this reality so he can better cope with life as it is right now.



So BLue - list for yourself and for the rest of us which teams have beaten 3 top 25 teams and 1 other BCS team to boot in this young season. If there is such a team - they would be ranked in th etop 10 and probably well into the top 10. I suspect that there are none. But don't take my speculaton as gospel. GO look at all of the 4-0 teams out there and see which of them have 3 wins against ranked teams. THen when you struggle to realize the answer i NONE - look at the 3-1 teams and see if anyone has even come close to that. You may find 1 or 2 - but maybe NONE.



That includes teams with talent and experience to go with that talent. There must be a bunch of horrible coaches like ours out there because no one is doing it.



Time will tell how good UW is. We beat them - arely - at our crib. They killed Syracuse in Seattle. They also lost to a Nebraska team that may be ranked as high as 5 come tomorrow. They play a killer schedule - like ours nearly so far but worse than ours by season end. So, like BYU - UW will be lucky to go bowling. But they are not the worst team in Division I by any stretch.

BYULV wrote:

I promise I am not trying to rain on your parade, but every quarterback that plays us looks like a stud. Our bend AND break defense is the equivalent of not hitting someone for 3 rounds in boxing, so they are surprised when you actually do in the 4th. Any team with an above average coach, and close talent to ours should keep it close or come out with a win.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

Actually, every QB we have played so far really are studs. Each one is better than the previous and it's not because of our defense but just because they are good players. I think locker may only be 3rd or 4th best out of the QBs we have played so far.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">

We're actually playing opposing QBs quite well. Our passing efficiency defense is 122.46. It was 119 in 2009, 128 in 2008 and 110 in 2007. The problem is our QB play has been awful - save the 1st game against Washington. Our QBs are both inaccurate and inefficient.



We are atrocious on 3rd down - offensively and defensively. There were signs of improvement today, but we must become more efficient in the passing game and on 3rd down. We need to start making plays to stay on the field on offense and get off the field on defense.



And our 3rd down deficiencies are compounded that we've given up 6 of 7 conversions on 4th down the last three games. We stopped opposing offense 24 times on 3rd down and they've gone for it 7 times and converted six of them. Our defense is not making plays to get off the field.

Had we played Utah's schedule, we might be 4-0, but we'd also think we were way better than we are(like they do). Our toughest stretch just ended. And now it is time for these guys o build of the hard times, and not take winning for granted. I think this is actually good for a young team because it will make them hungry and not act like winning is a birthright because they play for BYU. Yes, it stinks now. But them again, so does sitting at 4-0, thinking you are awesome, and not seeing the freight train headed your way. At least we just got run over by it and can now pick ourselves back up, and build off of the hard times. I like this for a young team. They will work really hard next offseason.

Washington's win is over a 3-1 Syracuse team, which sits atop the BE right now. They are not the worst team in the FCS. Three of BYU's opponents have played each other, which means there had to be two loses. This is a very tough schedule to start a season with and it's not surprising that BYU is 1-3 after the first four games.



I really expected BYU to be 3-1, but turns out that BYU isn't ready to reload and AFA and UNR are much better than expected. Perhaps USU will serve as the scrimmage team BYU needs to pull together and take out their frustrations on before they get into the rest of its conference schedule.

We should have played Urah's schedule and built some confidence and momentum going into tough games. Yes - Utah is over-rated and probably will lose to TCU, AFA, Notre Dame, and hopefully BYU. They might even lose 5 or as few as 2.



I hope BYU only loses 5.



I would not want to play Utah on a neutral field, let Aline at the Rice Paddie, right now. Maybe we will be ready for them in November if we stay healthy.



Heaps did get better protection Saturday. But if TCU pounds Heaps and knocks him out for the season, has anyone reflected on how ready to play thelark and Mynns duo are.



Utah, on the other hand has 2 QBs that can play.



[ Post made via Mobile Device ] http://cougarcorner.com/images/mobile.png" alt="" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%">